Fastening device for boxes and the like



w. e. TROHON. FASTENING DEVICE FOR BOXES AND THE LIKE. APPLICATION FILED OCT- 2I, I919.

Patented Jan. 25, 1921.

1710621307 mum G. Trohon,

/ 7 Be it known that I, WILLIAM UNITED STA'ILES PATENTI'OFFICE. 6

WILLIAM ejraonon, or was; nnssacnusrirrs, ASSIGNOR T KLIP-LOX :eox

rnsrnnnn COMPANY, mconronarnn, or BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS, A coir-ro- RATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

FASTENING DEVICE FOR BOXES AND THE LIKE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented. Jan. 25, 1921.

Application filed October 21, 1919. Serial No, 332,324.

To all whom it may concern:

G. TROHON, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Danvers, in the'county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Fastening Devices for Boxes and the like, of which'the following description, in connectionwith the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to means for securing together two or more pieces of sheet material and is herein illustrated as enibodied in a collapsible box having overlapping flaps which serve when fastened together as a closure for the box.

The general object of the present invention is to provide a fasteningmeans which is simple'and strong and which may be secured in such a way that the box cannot be casually opened as is desirable when, for

instance, the box is tobe used as a package for express shipment.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings wherein an illustrative embodiment of the invention is shown,

Figure 1 is a perspective of a collapsible box of corrugated board showing the flaps which form the upper cover fastened together;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective showing one of the but not completely closed and secured;

Fig. 3 is a similar view wherein the fastening device has been completely closed;

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the keeper element of the fastening, and

Fig. 5 is a plan of the locking member.

Referring 'to Fig. l, I have there shown a box of well known type wherein closures are formed by two inner flaps 7 folded in from the ends of the box and two outer flaps 9 folded in from the sides and overlying the inner flaps. The closure of such a box may be completed by means of four fastening devices arranged as indicated in Fig. 1.

The'form of fastening herein shown may comprise a keeper member conveniently in the form shown in Fig. 4 and consisting of a plate of metal providing a base portion 11 from the body of which is struck up the tongue 13. As indicated in Fig. 2, this fastening devices in position keeper is adapted to be applied to the inner side of the flap 7 with the tongue 13 projecting upwardly through this flap and also through a suitable aperture in the vouter flap 9 which conveniently may be reinforced as by an eyelet 15. The tongue 13 p,

is providedwith a suitable opening or openlugs to recelve a locking member and I have herein shown two holes 17 which, when the.

flaps are in their closed position as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, lie substantially in the plane of the outer surface of the overlying flap 9. V

To look the flaps together a suitable looking member 19 is provided cooperating with the keeper member and this may conveniently take the form shown in Fig. 5. As

there shown the locking member is formed I as a spring key formed from a single length of wire having legs 21 and 23 with rebent ends to provide rounded terminal portions 7 and locking shoulders Conveniently one of the legs as 23 is somewhat longer than the other. The box is locked by inserting the legs of the member 19 through the openings 17 of the/tongue 13. The roundedend. portions of the key facilitate the introduc tion of the member as does also the fact that one leg is longer than the other. The locking member is pushed into position until the locking shoulders pass the tongue when the legsspring upwardly and the shoulders 25 engage the side of the tongue to prevent withdrawal. In this position the locking member overlies the sides of the opening in the outer flap and bridging the sides of the eyelet securely fastens the box. The locking member lies substantially fiat in the plane of the outer surface of the box and by virtue of its construction has an extend ingbearing thereon.

In preparing packages for shipment by express it is desirable to lock them securely against casual opening. I have herein provided for thisby associating with the tongue 13 a displaceable portion which may be manipulated to so "position the locking mem as shown in Fig. 2, this projeo.

the tongue is provided a entering between the legs 21 and23; of the device beyond the, outer face of the box.

Conveniently the operation is so carried on as to cause the Point OftllG'PIOJGCtIOII 27 to enter or lie in immediate proximity to the opening in the outer'fl'ap '9 to be; shielded by the-eyelet therein.

The locking member l9; is positioned in" thetongue and .held against Withdrawal and I p 7 except by breaking or cutting ofthe parts. The sides ofthe locklng member shield the bent over pr0 ect10n cannot be removed "so that a lever cannot be conveniently in-' started-behind itto pry it upwardly and the Joint thereoi is practicall inaccessible and similarly protected by the eyelet.

I have f herein described one particular formof my invention as hereinillustrated embodying'a'particular iorm of keeper and of coijperating locking member.

of the "following claims.

Q Claims:

1. ii securing device fora flap comprising a keeper havlngan apertured tongue adapted to project past the flap and a locki'ng'inem- ;ber receivable in the aperture or saidtenguet and adapted to overlie the'fiap,

said tongue having' a portion displaceable to engage the member thereby to retain it in the tongue.

2. r'i'securing device for a flap a keeper having an apertured tongue adapted to project past the flap and a locking 111cm shoulder to engage ber in's'ertible in the apertureand having a the tongue to prevent withdrawal said tongue having .a portion kee oer lhaving 0bviously;

' however, the invention is not limited to the detailsoi construction illustrated and might, be embodiedin other forms Within the scope shielded thereby.

one sheet and having comprising name to this specification.

displaceable to engage the member to ;hold said shoulder in its engagement. 7

3. A'sec'uring device fora flap comprising an a'p'e rturedtongue adapted to-project-past the flap; a locking member forinsertion in the tongue having legsjprovided with exterior shoulders; said tongue having portion displaceable to lie between the legs and hold them spread with the shoulders engaging the tongue;

. 4L securing device for a flap comprising an ap ertured toiigu'ehaving a bendable projection and a member cooperating With said tongue, having legs'receivable in the aper 'ture' and adaptedte be heldspreadtherein by the projection when bent.

5. Means for securing together overlapping sheets comprising a: keeper, secured to one sheet and having an apertured tongue;- the other sheet having an openingto receive said tongue to bring the aperture in the plane of the outer surfaceoi the sheet and a member insertlble n the aperture and hav ing a lockingshoulder to prevent its Withdraival, said tongue having a portion bend-. able to engage said finember to hold the shoulder engaged and in such positio extending to the margin of the opening'to be Means for securing together overlap ping sheets comprising a keeper secured to the other sheet having n opening to receive S21Clt0l1gll9flt0 bilng the'aperture 1n the plane of the outer surface of the sheet and;

a. locking member for insertion in the tongue having legs provided with exterior ,sh(' ul'- ders said tongue having a portion bendable to lie between the. legs and hold them spreat I with the shoulders engaging said t'ongueand in such position extending to the margin of the openlng to beshlelded thereby; 1

in testimony 'vvhereoi'l have V jV LIAMG;

an apertured ton'gue,

signed my 

